Badge construction

ABSTRACT

A BADGE CONSTRUCTION FOR USE AS AN IDENTIFICATION BADGE AND HAVING AN ORNAMENTAL ARTICLE SUCH AS A SOUVENIR ATTACHED THERETO, THE SOUVENIR BEING SECURED TO A MOUNTING CARD POSITIONED WITHIN A TRANSPARENT COVER AND HAVING A PORTION THEREOF THAT IS EXTERNALLY VISIBLE, THE SOUVENIR BEING FURTHER REMOVABLE FROM THE MOUNTING CARD AND COVER UPON DISPOSAL OF THE BADGE CONSTRUCTION.

June 1971 R. A. KLITZNER BADGE CONSTRUCTION Inventor,

Filed Sept. 15, 1969 /0 i 46 Robert A.Iflitzne AJt ys.

United States Patent 3,583,085 BADGE CONSTRUCTION Robert A. Klitzner, 171 E. Hill Drive, Cranston, RI. 02919 Filed Sept. 15, 1969, Ser. No. 857,762 lint. Cl. A44c 3/00 US. CI. 40-15 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A badge construction for use as an identification badge and having an ornamental article such as a souvenir attached thereto, the souvenir being secured to a mounting card positioned within a transparent cover and having a portion thereof that is externally visible, the souvenir being further removable from the mounting card and cover upon disposal of the badge construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention has particular application as an identification badge for use at conferences, seminars, conventions and in other instances where identification of the wearer is required.

Identification badges normally employed at conferences and conventions include a card that is encased in some form of a plastic envelope. A pin or the like is secured to the plastic envelope and the badge is worn by the user so that the identifying indicia appearing thereon is clearly visible. Although these prior-known convention or conference identification badges have served the purpose for which they were intended, they were limited in the use thereof, and could not be modified in any way for receiving an ornamental article if it were desired to provide such an article with the badge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a badge construction having a mounting card formed with an upper portion and a lower tongue portion that is reduced in width with respect to the upper portion, and that depends therefrom in the position of use of the badge. An ornamental article such as a souvenir is removably secured to the card and includes a portion that is secured to the tongue portion of the card. A transparent cover overlies the upper portion of the mounting card and envelopes the ornamental artcile secured thereto, the transparent cover having a slit formed along the bottom fold line through which the tongue of the mounting card extends. Normally, an identification card overlies the mounting card and is interposed between the mounting card and the transparent cover, wherein the upper portion of the mounting card and the souvenir attached thereto are concealed, but visual access to indicia appearing on the identification card and to the portion of the souvenir attached to the tongue portion is still provided.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a badge construction having an identification card and means for locating an ornamental article in combination therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination souvenir and identification badge having a mounting card on which a souvenir is removably secured, a transparent cover overlying the mounting card and souvenir, and having means joined thereto for fixing the badge on the user.

Still another object is to provide a combination souvenior and identification badge in which an identification card is interposed between a mounting card and a transparent cover that envelopes the identification card, an ornamental souvenir being secured to the mounting card and depending below the cover through a slit formed therein so that a portion of the ornamental souvenir is visible when the badge is mounted on the user.

Still another object is to provide a badge construction having an identification card and a souvenir located therein, the souvenir being included as a part of the badge construction when it is received by the user.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the instant invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of the badge construction embodied herein;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, taken along line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mounting card located in the badge construction;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating a modified form of the mounting card; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the modified mounting card illustrated in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the invention is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. As shown, the badge construction 10 is intended primarily as an identification badge such as used at conventions and conferences and the like and that are usually worn on the lapel or pocket of the user, so that the identifying indicia appearing thereon is clearly visible. The badge construction 10 includes a mounting card, generally indicated at 12, that is defined by an upper rectangularly shaped portion 14 to which a lower or tongue portion 16 is joined, the tongue portion 16 being reduced in width with respect to the upper portion 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lowermost edge of the tongue portion 16 may be cut to simulate a ribbon or the like and the surface of the tongue portion may also be colored or ornamented so as to impart the appearance of a ribbon. It is understood that the mounting card 12 may be formed of any conventional material such as plastic or cardboard, although cardboard is preferred since it is relatively inexpensive and may have printed material applied thereto.

Fixed to the mounting card is an ornamental article, generally indicated at 18, which, as shown in the drawing, is in the form of a key chain that includes a ring 20 to which a medallion 22 is connected through a flexible chain '24. The key ring 20 includes a conventional lock 26 and is interconnected to the chain 24 through a swivel 28 and link 30, while the medallion 22 is interconnected to the flexible chain 24 through interconnected links 32 and 34. The key ring 20 is fixed to the upper rectangular portion 14 of the mounting card 12 by a staple 36, the staple 36 providing for easy removal of the key ring 20 from the mounting card when required. The chain 24 of the key chain 18 and the medallion 22 are fixed to the tongue portion 16 by another staple 38, it also being understood that the staple 38 may be easily removed or torn from the tongue portion 16 when it is desired to remove the key chain 18 from the mounting card 12.

The upper portion 14 of the mounting card 12 is received in a transparent cover generally indicated at 40 in FIG. 2, the cover 40 including a front section 42, a rear section 44 and a flap 46 that is integrally joined to the front section 42. The rear section 44 is joined to the front section 42 along a bottom fold line indicated at 48 in FIG. 1, a slit 50 being formed in the fold line 48 and being dimensioned for accommodating the tongue portion 16 of the mounting card 12 therethrough. The upper portion 14 of the mounting card 12 is dimensioned and configured so as to be snugly received within the cover 40, and thus the overall configuration of the cover 40 is also rectangular. The badge construction is completed by locating the identification card 48 within the cover and in overlying relation with respect to the upper portion 14 of the mounting card 12 and that portion of the key chain 18 located on the upper portion 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the identification card 48 is located adjacent to the front section '42 of the cover 40 and thus conceals the upper portion '14 of the mounting card and that portion of the key chain 18 is secured thereto. It is understood that any suitable indicia may be imprinted on the identification card 48 for identifying the user thereof.

In the assembly of the elements of the badge construction, the mounting card 12 with the key chain 18 preassembled thereon is located such that the upper portion 14 is received between the front and rear sections 42 and 44 of the cover 40. The tongue portion 16 projects through the slit in the fold line 48 and, since the remaining upper portion 14 of the mounting card 12 is snugly received within the cover 40, the mounting card is positively positioned therein. The tongue portion 16 projects below the fold line 48 of the cover and, since the medallion 22 of the key chain 18 is fixed to the tongue portion 16, this is also visible and imparts an ornamental appearance to the badge construction. The identification card 48 is placed in the cover 40 in overlying relation with respect to the upper portion 14 of the mounting card 12 and the indicia thereon is visible through the front section 4 2 of the cover. The flap 46 is moved into overlying relation with respect to the top edge of the rear section 44 of the cover and thereby, in effect, locks the elements of the badge together. A pin 51 projects through suitable openings formed in the rear section 44 of the cover and may be secured to an article of clothing or a garment of the wearer for mounting the bage construction on the wearer.

It is seen that, when the badge construction 10 is mounted on the wearer, the name or identification card 48 is visible for imparting the required information thereon to the viewer. The medallion 22, as it projects below the upper portion 14 of the mounting card, and as secured to the tongue portion 16 thereof, provides an ornamental and attractive arrangement in combination with the rest of the badge construction. When the. badge construction 10 is removed from the wearer for disposal, the key chain 18 may also be removed from the secured position thereof on the mounting card 12 and thereafter retained by the user as a souvenir.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a modified form of the mounting card is illustrated and is generally indicated at 52. The mounting card 52 also includes an upper portion 54 that has a generally rectangular configuration for being received within the cover 40. Joined to the upper portion 54 is a lower tongue portion 56 that is similar to the tongue portion 16, as described above, and has a lower scalloped edge 58 that simulates the appearance of a ribbon. A key chain 18 that is preassembled on the mounting card 52 includes a key ring 20 fixed t0 the upper portion 54, a chain 24 and a medallion 22 that is received on the tongue portion 56. In order to preassemble the key chain 18 on the mounting card 52, a transparent plastic skin cover 60 is located in overlying relation around the key chain 18 and is fixed to the upper portion 54 and the tongue portion 56 of the mounting card 52. Any suitable means may be employed for adhering the flexible transparent covering 60 to the mounting card and, the use of heat or an adhesive has been found to work satisfactorily for this purpose. The mounting card 52 is located within the cover 40 in the same manner as described above, and an identification card 48 is also used in combination therewith to complete the modified badge construction.

What is claimed is:

1. In a badge construction, a mounting card including an upper portion and a lower tongue portion that is reduced in width with respect to the upper portion and that depends therefrom in the position of use of said badge construction, an ornamental article removable secured to said card and including a portion that is received on the tongue portion of said mounting card, a transparent cover overlying at least the upper portion of the mounting card and enveloping the portion of the ornamental article that is secured thereto, and means connectable to said transparent cover for fixing said badge on the user thereof.

2. In a badge construction as set forth in claim 1, said transparent cover including a front section and a rear section integrally joined to said front section along a fold line, a slit formed in said cover along said fold line through which said tongue portion projects, and a flap joined to said front section and foldable over an edge of said rear section to capture said mounting card between said sections.

3. In a badge construction as set forth in claim 2, an identification card interposed between said front section of said transparent cover and the mounting card, wherein the upper portion of the mounting card and the portion of the ornamental article attached thereto, are concealed, but visual access to indicia appearing on the identification card and the lower tongue portion of the mounting card and portion of the article attached thereto is still provided.

4. In a badge construction as set forth in claim 3, a plastic film overlying said ornamental article on said mounting card for removably securing said article thereto.

5. In a badge construction as set forth in claim 3, staples located around selected portions of said article and fixed to said mounting card for removably securing said article thereto.

6. In a badge construction as set forth in claim 1, an identification card interposed between said mounting card and transparent cover, wherein the upper portion of the mounting card and the portion of the ornamental article attached thereto are concealed, but visual access to indicia appearing on the identification card, the lower tongue portion of the mounting card and the portion of the article attached to the tongue portion is still provided.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 702,737 6/1902 Miller 401.5 1,624,458 4/1927 Zook 401.5 2,035,789 3/1936 Collins 40-1.5 3,462,863 8/1969 Reeves 401.5 3,500,568 3/1970 Hushek 401.5

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner 

